Sharpsburg American Legion post requests liquor license

The Sharpsburg American Legion has requested a liquor license for when it resumes operations at its former location on Mechanic Street, Commander Tom Witmer said Friday.

The Board of License Commissioners discussed the issue with Legion members during the board's meeting Wednesday.

On Friday, board Chairman Donald L. Mellott said Wednesday's meeting involved a discussion and was not an official hearing. Mellott would not comment further and would not say if a hearing has been scheduled.

The minutes for the meeting have not been completed.

Witmer said the Legion is buying its former property at 104 S. Mechanic St. from Russell Ballet Academy. He would not disclose the price.

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The Academy did not return phone calls Friday.

Witmer said it is too soon to estimate when the Legion will reopen at the Mechanic Street site.

When it does, the location will be used mostly for meetings and veterans activities.

The Legion has been without a permanent home for about a year, Witmer said.

"This is for the community. It is for the veterans," Witmer said.

The Legion was on Shepherdstown Pike for about nine years and prior to that it occupied the Mechanic Street building. The Legion shut down its Shepherdstown Pike hall, which has a restaurant and banquet facilities, on Jan. 26 and later sold the property.

Witmer said the post was closed in part due to declining use by members because it was out of town.

The Legion, which has about 150 members, has been meeting at the Conococheague Sportsmen Club for about a year, Witmer said.